Carla Ward: Game-changing leadership in women’s football

From jumpers for goalposts on a council estate to managing at the highest level of women’s football, Carla Ward’s journey is one of courage, resilience and breaking through barriers. Now leading the Republic of Ireland women’s national team with ambitions to reach the 2027 World Cup, Carla has navigated a fast rise from player to coach, defied expectations, and spoken openly about the reality of balancing a demanding football career with motherhood.

In this powerful episode of The Game Changers, Carla shares the unfiltered truth about life in football, leadership, and the challenges female coaches face in the modern game.

We talk about:

• Growing up in grassroots football when girls’ teams didn’t exist
• The emotional and brutal transition from player to manager overnight
• Building winning teams through culture, unity and belief
• Surviving the toughest jobs and proving doubters wrong
• The sacrifices of coaching and the impact on family life
• Why women coaches deserve more opportunities – and fair pay
• Leading a national side and dreaming of World Cup success

An honest and eye-opening conversation about risk-taking, resilience and the fight for equality in women’s football.

Thank you to Sport England who support The Game Changers Podcast with a National Lottery award.

Find out more about The Game Changers podcast here: https://www.fearlesswomen.co.uk/thegamechangers

Hosted by Sue Anstiss
Produced by Sam Walker, What Goes On Media

A Fearless Women production